Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-03-18 Origin: Site
Today let's talk about something that gives countless steel foreign trade people and supply chain professionals a headache – the Steel Export License.
Does just hearing this term make your brain freeze with all the professional jargon? Since the new regulations took effect on January 1, 2026, freight forwarders are chasing you for it, customs is checking for it, and clients keep confirming it. Without understanding it, you almost don't dare to take steel export orders.
Don't worry! Today I'm going to take some time to break down the Steel Export License from start to finish in plain English. I promise after reading this, whenever anyone mentions this license to you, you'll be able to answer fluently and even explain it to newcomers. Pure干货 alert – recommend saving this️ so you don't have to dig through your phone when you need it!
First, let's understand what it actually is.
The Steel Export License is not some complex qualification certification, nor is it a quality rating certificate. It's a "compliance pass" for exporting certain steel products.
It's based on the Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 79 of 2025. Simply put, it's an "export threshold" set for specific steel products to regulate steel exports and guide high-quality industry development.
Sounds a bit official, right?
Let's put it in plain English: It's a "customs ID card" that must be obtained before exporting certain steel products starting in 2026.
Think of it as an "export visa" for steel products – only with this license can your steel goods smoothly pass customs inspection, and freight forwarders will dare to handle your shipment for delivery to overseas clients.
Key point: This is not optional – it's mandatory! If the involved steel products don't have this license, customs won't release them, and freight forwarders won't touch them – even sample orders. And note: it doesn't limit export quantities or company qualifications – the core purpose is standardized management and quality traceability.
This is everyone's biggest concern: Do the steel products I export need this license?
Remember the core principle: Look at the HS Code! If your product's HS code is listed in the "Catalogue of Some Steel Products Subject to Export License Administration" attached to Announcement No. 79, you MUST get the license – whether it's bulk cargo or samples.
Here are some common scenarios – check if you're affected: Raw Materials & Primary Products: Non-alloy pig iron，Recycled steel raw materials，Steel scrap, etc. Intermediate Products: Rectangular section steel billets，Continuous casting slabs, etc. Finished Steel Products: Hot-rolled coils/sheets,Cold-rolled coils, Some types of sections (H-beam, angles, channels), Steel pipes, etc.
In simple terms, from steel raw materials to some finished steel products, this covers 300 HS codes – basically most common steel categories in foreign trade.
